Animal control facility necessary, but expensive

Albany - Building a new animal control facility in Dougherty County will cost more than expected, but animal activists say it's money well spent.

The Humane Society now charges $40 if you drop off an animal. So the County decided to start its own animal control facility.

Monday, commissioners found out the building will cost $25,000 more than the budgeted $700,000. But, Humane Society Director Donna Strickland says the County desperately needs the facility. "There is a big problem with stray animals, and the new animal control will handle that. We'll contract with the County to take care of those animals that they pick them up," said Strickland.

The County will hire an animal control officer to respond to calls and pick-up stray animals outside the city limits.